N-fluorotriazinium fluorinating agents

ABSTRACT

Novel N-fluorotriazinium electrophilic fluorinating agents have the Formula I:  
                 
 
     wherein three A moieties are independently CR, where each R is, independently, hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, (primary, secondary or tertiary) amino, amino, cyano, perfluorothio, hydroxysulfonyl, halosulfonyl, hydrocarbyloxysulfonyl, or a carbon-containing substituent selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy, hydrocarbyloxycarbonyl, and hydrocarbylthio groups, and at least one R is neither hydrogen nor halogen; two A moieties are independently Z, where each Z is independently nitrogen or a quaternary nitrogen atom and Y is a counterion or group of counterions which are inert to chemical attack by fluorine, or adjacent triazinium moieties are linked by a common R substituent to provide an oligomer or polymer. Preferably the compounds are 1,3,5-triazinium compound in which all R are the same, optionally perfluorinated, alkyl or alkoxy groups; Z 1  and Z 2  are both nitrogen and Y −  is triflate. Compounds of Formula I are especially useful in fluorinating carbanionic species or activated aromatic compounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to fluorinating agents, especially to electrophilic fluorinating agents and in particular to novel triazinium compounds. The invention also relates to a method of fluorinating a substrate, especially an organic substrate using these fluorinating agents. The fluorinating agents are particularly useful for fluorinating electron-rich species, for example activated aromatic compounds (i.e. carrying electron-donating substituents) or overt or covert carbanions.

[0002] Fluorination is an important process in many areas of industry, in particular where the synthesis of specialty chemicals is concerned. Known fluorination methods are conveniently categorized according to the perceived manner in which the fluorinating agents provide fluorine for combination with an active site in an organic molecule, namely as fluorine atom (F^(·)), fluoride ion (F⁻) or, conceptually, fluoronium ion (F⁺). Fluorinations involving fluorine atom are notoriously exothermic and non-selective, hence “light” strategic fluorination of organic compounds (that is, the introduction of one or two fluorine substituents or a trifluoromethyl group at key molecular sites) rests on the availability of versatile ranges of nucleophilic and electrophilic sources of fluorine. Of late, the use of N-fluoro compounds has become one of the most widely used methods for the selective formation of carbon-fluorine bonds via “electrophilic” mechanisms. A recent comprehensive review of this synthetic methodology contains no reference to N—F reagents derived from triazines (see G. G. Furin in Methods of Organic Chemistry (Houben-Weyl): Volume E10a; Organofluorine Compounds (ed. B. Baasner, H. Hagemann, and J. C. Tatlow), Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, 1999, pp. 432-499.

[0003] 1-Chloromethyl-4-fluoro-1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(tetrafluoroborate) (so-called F-TEDA-BF₄) is a known, commercially available (under the trade name “Selectfluor”) fluorinating agent and is useful as a general purpose fluorinating agent. However this material has only a moderate fluorinating power and is able to fluorinate benzene only under forcing conditions, for example under reflux for 24 hours. The chemistry of F-TEDA-BF₄ has been reviewed by R. E. Banks in J. Fluorine Chemistry 87 (1998) 1-17, the whole content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] N-Fluoropyridinium salts and ring-substituted analogues thereof, e.g. N-fluoropyridinium triflate, are known for use as a fluorinating agent but have relatively low fluorinating power. U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,764 discloses that certain N-fluoro-N-perfluoroalkyl or perfluoroaryl sulfonamides including, inter alia, those of the formula R_(f)SO₂NFR are electrophilic fluorinating agents. In this formula R_(f) represents a perfluorinated C₁-C₃₀ alkyl, C₃-C₃₀ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl substituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl or a C₆-C₁₄ aryl group and R represents a C₁-C₃₀ alkyl, C₃-C₃₀ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl substituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, or C₆-C₁₄ aryl group optionally substituted with one or more inert substituents including, inter alia, fluorine and, when R_(f) is trifluoromethyl, R alternatively can represent perfluoromethyl-sulfonamido. The preferred fluorinating agents are stated to be N-fluorobis-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (R_(f)═CF₃ and R═CF₃SO₂), known as DesMarteau's Reagent, and N-fluoro-N-methyltrifluoromethanesulfonamide (R_(f)═CF₃ and R═CH₃). DesMarteau's Reagent is a powerful electrophilic fluorinating agent which is capable of converting benzene to fluorobenzene at room temperature but is hazardous, time-consuming and expensive to prepare, requiring eight or nine reaction steps from readily available material. Only a very limited number of other known fluorinating agents are strong enough to fluorinate benzene without forcing conditions but they often provide relatively low yields or require special precautions.

[0005] N-Fluorotriazinium salts of the following Formula A are known:

[0006] wherein:

[0007] (i) X═H & Y⁻═AsF₆ ⁻(Ref. 1—see below)

[0008] (ii) X═F & Y⁻═AsF₆ ⁻(Ref. 2—see below)

[0009] (iii) X═F & Y⁻═BF₄ ⁻(Ref. 3—see below) and

[0010] (iv) X═Cl & Y⁻═AsF₆ ⁻(Refs. 2 & 4—see below).

[0011] The N-fluorotriazinium salts of Formula A are reported to be oxidizing agents of use in, for example, organometallic chemistry. The cationic component of compounds of Formula A in which X is H, F and Cl have been described as “oxidative fluorinators” and a qualitative scale for their oxidizing strength and that of NF₄ ⁺ has been computed ab initio (Ref. 3—see below).

[0012] Ref. 1=Broschag et al. Inorg. Chim. Acta, 205 (1993) 167-173;

[0013] Ref. 2=Schleyer et al. Inorg. Chem. 32 (1993) 1523-1524;

[0014] Ref. 3=Schulz and Klapötke J. Organometal. Chem. 480 (1994) 195-197; and

[0015] Ref. 4=Broschag et al. Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem., 620 (1994) 1132-1136.

[0016] There is a statement in Schleyer et al. that 1-fluoro-2,4,6-trichloro-s-triazinium hexafluoroarsenate (Formula A; X═Cl; and Y⁻═AsF₆ ⁻) “is a promising fluorination agent” but no further details were provided or subsequently reported. It is believed that uses of the compounds of Formula A other than as oxidizing agents was not contemplated or investigated. In particular, there is no disclosure in the prior art of any of these compounds being evaluated as oxidative fluorinators (as distinct from non-fluorinating oxidizing agents) despite the computed values reported in Refs. 3 and 4.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] We have now found that certain substituted triazinium salts having a fluorine atom on at least one of the triazinium nitrogen atoms provide excellent electrophilic fluorinating agents yet do not possess some of the drawbacks of known electrophilic fluorinating agents. These triazinium salts can be monomers represented by the following Formula I:

[0018] in which:

[0019] three A moieties are independently CR, where each R is independently, hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, (primary, secondary or tertiary) amino, cyano, perfluorothio, hydroxysulfonyl, halosulfonyl, hydrocarbyloxysulfonyl, or a carbon-containing substituent selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy, hydrocarbyloxycarbonyl, and hydrocarbylthio groups, and at least one R is neither hydrogen nor halogen;

[0020] two A moieties are independently Z, where each Z is independently nitrogen or a quaternary nitrogen atom; and

[0021] Y⁻ is a counterion or group of counterions which are inert to chemical attack by fluorine.

[0022] The salts also can be oligomers or polymers of the salts of Formula I in which adjacent triazinium moieties are linked by a common R substituent.

[0023] In another aspect of the invention there is provided use of a compound of Formula I as an electrophilic fluorinating agent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The invention provides electrophilic fluorinating agents which are triazinium compounds of the following Formula I:

[0025] wherein:

[0026] three A moieties are independently CR, where each R is independently, hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, (primary, secondary or tertiary) amino, cyano, perfluorothio, hydroxysulfonyl, halosulfonyl, hydrocarbyloxysulfonyl, or a carbon-containing substituent selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy, hydrocarbyloxycarbonyl, and hydrocarbylthio groups, and at least one R is neither hydrogen nor halogen;

[0027] two A moieties are independently Z, where each Z is independently nitrogen or a quaternary nitrogen atom; and

[0028] Y⁻ is a counterion or group of counterions which are inert to chemical attack by fluorine,

[0029] and oligomers or polymers thereof in which adjacent triazinium moieties are linked by a common R substituent.

[0030] It is presently preferred that the triazinium compounds are 1,2,4-triazinium compounds of the following Formula IA or, especially, 1,3,5-triazinium compounds of the following Formula IB:

[0031] wherein:

[0032] R¹, R² and R³ are, independently, hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, (primary, secondary or tertiary) amino, cyano, perfluorothio, hydroxysulfonyl, halosulfonyl, hydrocarbyloxysulfonyl, or a carbon-containing substituent selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy, hydrocarbyloxycarbonyl, and hydrocarbylthio groups, and at least one of R¹, R² and R³ is neither hydrogen nor halogen;

[0033] Z¹ and Z² are independently nitrogen or a quaternary nitrogen atom; and

[0034] Y⁻ is a counterion or group of counterions which are inert to chemical attack by fluorine,

[0035] and oligomers or polymers thereof in which adjacent triazinium moieties are linked by a common R substituent.

[0036] Desirably the compound of Formula I is relatively pure and contains less than about 20%, more preferably less than about 10% and especially less than about 5% impurities so as to reduce the level of impurity carried into a reaction in which the compound is employed as a fluorinating agent. However, where the compound is of limited stability, it usually will be used without separation from the reaction mixture.

[0037] In another aspect of the invention there is provided use of a compound of Formula I as an electrophilic fluorinating agent.

[0038] Compounds of Formula I have a high fluorinating power which allows substrates, especially electron-rich species for example carbanionic or activated aromatic substrates, which are difficult to fluorinate using some known fluorinating agents to be fluorinated. Also compounds of Formula I may be employed to fluorinate substrates which may presently be fluorinated electrophilically using known fluorinating agents but under milder reaction conditions due to the effective fluorinating power of compounds of Formula I.

[0039] The said carbon-containing substituent(s) may be unsubstituted and contain only hydrogen and carbon atoms, and in the case of hydrocarbyloxy and hydrocarbylthio, also an oxygen or sulfur atom respectively, or they may be substituted and contain one or more heteroatoms for example oxygen, nitrogen, halogen and sulfur, and/or heterogroups, for example carbonyl, ester and amide links. Thus, optionally the carbon-containing substituent(s) may contain a heteroatom in the carbon chain and/or may be substituted with a substituent containing a heteroatom such as, for example, OH, alkoxy and halogen, for example chlorine, bromine and especially fluorine. One or more (including all) hydrogen atoms in the said carbon-containing substituent(s) may be substituted as desired.

[0040] A preferred embodiment of the invention provides electrophilic fluorinating agents of Formula I wherein at least one R, or at least one of R¹, R² and R³ for Formulae IA and IB, is hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy, hydrohalocarbyl, hydrohalocarbyloxy, perhalocarbyl, or perhalocarbyloxy, and Z, or Z¹ and Z² for formulae IA and IB, and Y⁻ are as defined above.

[0041] The hydrocarbyl and hydrocarbyloxy groups may be alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aryloxy and alkoxy groups which optionally are substituted. Preferably the alkyl and alkoxy group have from about 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, more preferably about 1 to about 8 carbon atoms and especially about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, for example methyl, ethyl, methoxy and ethoxy. Preferably the alkenyl group and aryl group have from about 2 to about 12, especially about 2 to about 8, carbon atoms and from about 6 to about 12, especially about 6 to about 9, carbon atoms respectively.

[0042] In one preferred embodiment, at least one R, or R¹, R² and/or R³ for Formulae IA and IB, is selected from the group consisting of hydrohaloalkyl groups, especially hydrofluoroalkyl groups, and perhaloalkyl groups, especially perfluoroalkyl groups. Examples of suitable perfluoroalkyl groups include trifluoromethyl, pentafluoroethyl and perfluorooctyl groups and examples of suitable hydrofluoroalkyl groups include 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl and H(CF₂CF₂)_(p)CH₂ groups (where p is at least 2). Perhaloalkyl groups may be preferred in some cases due to the absence of a carbon-hydrogen bond which may be susceptible to electrophilic fluorination.

[0043] In another preferred embodiment for ease of synthesis, at least one R, or R¹, R² and/or R³ for Formulae IA and IB, is selected from the group consisting of hydrohaloalkoxy groups, especially hydrofluoroalkoxy groups, and perhaloalkyl groups, especially perfluoroalkyl groups. Examples of suitable perfluoroalkoxy groups include trifluoromethoxy, pentafluoroethoxy and perfluorooctoxy groups and examples of suitable hydrofluoroalkoxy groups include 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy and 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy. Particularly preferred are H(CF₂CF₂)_(p)CH₂O groups (where p is at least 2) which are readily available using known telomer alcohols of the corresponding formula H(CF₂CF₂)_(p)CH₂OH.

[0044] In another preferred embodiment, at least one R, or R¹, R² and/or R³ for Formulae IA and IB, is a thio analogue of the aforementioned hydrohaloalkoxy and perhaloalkoxy groups, for example trifluoromethylthio (CF₃S), or a perfluorothio group such as trifluorothio (SF₃) or pentafluorothio (SF₅).

[0045] The terms aryl and aryloxy include moieties which contain aliphatic as well as aromatic groups. Preferred aryl and aryloxy groups include phenyl, phenoxy, and groups of formula C₆H₅(CH₂)_(r)[OC₂H₄]_(q)O_(t) where q is 0 to 6, r is 0 to 8 and t is 0 or 1, which may be optionally substituted, preferably with fluorine.

[0046] It is especially preferred that all R substituents, or R¹, R² and R³ for Formulae IA and IB, are identical in a given compound. Examples of especially preferred compounds are those in which all R substituents, or all of R¹, R² and R³, are methyl, methoxy, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy groups. A practical advantage of all R substituents, or all of R¹, R² and R³, being the same group is the manufacture of the compound may be simplified and isomers or a mixture of compounds is less likely to be produced.

[0047] R, or R¹, R² and R³, may be selected so as to provide technical advantages to the compound of Formula I in addition to the fluorination characteristics such as improving the solubility of the compound in non-polar solvents and solvents of low polarity. Thus greater flexibility in chemical synthesis involving electrophilic fluorination is also provided by the compounds of Formula I.

[0048] The compounds of Formula I can be oligomers or polymers in which adjacent triazinium moieties are linked by a common R substituent, for example, a hydrocarbyl, perfluorohydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyldioxy group. Presently preferred linking groups are dioxyphenyl, di(oxycarbyl)phenyl, alkylenedioxy or bis(oxyaryl)alkylene groups, such as, for example, 1,5-dioxypent-2,4-diyl (i.e. —O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O—), 1,3-bis(p-oxyphenyl)prop-1,3-diyl (i.e. -p-OC₆H₄—CH—CH₂—CH—C₆H₄O-p-), or 1,3-bis(m/p-oxymethylphenyl)prop-1,3-diyl (i.e.-m/p-OCH₂C₆H₄—CH—CH₂—CH—C₆H₄CH₂O-m/p-).

[0049] The compounds of Formula I contain at least one fluorinated quaternary nitrogen atom in the triazinium ring and one or both of the other triazinium nitrogen atoms may be quaternary, preferably fluorinated, nitrogen. In a preferred embodiment both Z, or both Z¹ and Z² for Formulae IA and IB, are nitrogen and the most preferred compounds are those of the following Formula II:

[0050] wherein R¹, R², R³ and Y⁻ are as defined above.

[0051] Examples of especially preferred compounds according to the invention are those having a triazinium cation as shown below in Formulae III to V.

1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazinium

[0052]

1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazinium

[0053]

1-fluoro-2,4,6-tris(trifluoromethyl)-1,3,5-triazinium

[0054] The counterion Y⁻ is resistant to chemical attack by fluorine and desirably is thermally stable and possesses low environmental toxicity. The counterion(s) can be any anion(s) which can be counterion(s) to the triazinium cation. The counterion(s) may have a single charge or a multiple charge or be a group of counterions so as to balance the charge of the triazinium moiety. Also the counterion may be a counterion to more than one mole of the triazinium cation, for example where the cation has a single charge and the counterion has a multiple charge.

[0055] Suitably the counterion is weakly nucleophilic. Suitable anions include fluoride; fluorosulfate (SO₃F⁻); alkanesulfonate, especially methanesulfonate (CH₃SO₃ ⁻); alkyl sulfate, especially methyl sulfate (CH₃SO₄ ⁻); perfluoroalkanesulfonate, preferably triflate (CF₃SO₃ ⁻) and nonaflate (C₄F₉SO₃ ⁻); arenesulfonate, especially tosylate (i.e. p-toluenesulfonate, p-CH₃C₆H₄SO₃ ⁻); alkanecarboxylate; perfluoroalkanecarboxylate; tetrafluoroborate (BF₄ ⁻); tetraphenylborate (Ph₄B⁻); hexafluorophosphate (PF₆ ⁻); hexafluoroantimonate (SbF₆ ⁻); hexafluoroarsenate (AsF₆ ⁻); chlorate (ClO₃ ⁻); and sulfate (SO₄ ²⁻═2Y⁻), hydrogen sulfate (HSO₄ ⁻) and F(HF)_(x) ⁻ where x is at least 1. Presently preferred counterions include fluoride, tetrafluoroborate, triflate, tosylate, hexafluoroarsenate and hexafluorophosphate.

[0056] Preferably, the compounds of Formula I are prepared using a solvent-based process which comprises contacting a triazine compound with a fluorine source under acidic conditions in a solvent which is inert under the process conditions.

[0057] Suitably the fluorine source is an electrophilic fluorine source such as, for example, fluorine gas or a mixture of fluorine gas and a neutral compound derivable from a fluorine-containing counterion Y⁻ by removing at least one fluoride ion from Y⁻, for example boron trifluoride. Preferably, the fluorine source is fluorine gas. While the fluorine gas may be used without dilution, in general, it is preferable to use fluorine gas diluted with an inert gas so that the volume of the inert gas is between about 99.9% and about 50% for controlling the vigorous reaction. Suitable inert gases include nitrogen, helium and argon.

[0058] The triazine compound to be fluorinated is suitably a compound of the Formula VI and may be obtained by subjecting a compound or a mixture of compounds of formula RCN to a known process for producing a triazine compound of formula (RCN)₃, wherein R is independently R¹, R² or R³ as described herein:

[0059] The fluorination process is carried out in the presence of an acid which may be a Brønsted acid (organic or mineral) or a Lewis acid. The level of acid is suitably adjusted so as to reduce and desirably avoid double protonation of the triazine compound and to provide a yield (as determined by ¹⁹F NMR) of F—N⁺ of at least about 20% and desirably of at least about 50%. Desirably the molar ratio of acid to triazine substrate is about 0.5 to about 2.5, preferably about 1 to about 2.2.

[0060] Preferable examples of Brønsted acid have pKa in the range from about 12.4 to about 4.6 and include halogenated alcohols, for example chlorodifluoroethanol, dichlorofluoroethanol, chlorooctafluoro-t-butanol, trifluoroethanol, tetrafluoropropanol, pentafluoropropanol, hexafluoroisopropanol, octafluoropentanol, and nonafluoro-t-butanol. Fluorinated alcohols, particularly those which are free of chlorine, are especially preferred.

[0061] Other acids which are especially preferred include acids of the counterion Y⁻ described above, for example anhydrous hydrofluoric acid, hexafluoroantimonic acid, tetrafluoroboric acid and triflic acid, sulfuric acid, methanesulfonic acid, acetic acid and trifluoroacetic acid.

[0062] Brønsted acids may be used in the form of a complex with ethers, water, alcohols, nitrites, carboxylic acids and the like and may be used in the form of an aqueous solution.

[0063] Preferably, the solvent is non-aqueous and it is presently particularly preferred that the solvent is acetonitrile, a halogenated, especially fluorinated, alcohol or, especially, nitromethane. In this connection, it is believed that there has not been any previous proposal to use nitromethane as a solvent, or for any other purpose, with any N—F or ⁺N—F reagent.

[0064] If desired the same material may be used as both the acid and the solvent.

[0065] The reaction to produce compound of Formula I is carried out at a temperature at which the solvent is in the liquid phase and suitably at a sufficiently low temperature that reaction due to a free radical mechanism is reduced and suitably avoided. The particular temperature selected depends on the solvent and also the reactants. By way of example only, the reaction suitably may be carried out at a temperature of about −40 to about 10° C. A temperature of about −40 to about −20° C. is preferred for acetonitrile and a temperature of about −10 to about 5° C is preferred for hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol. The reaction may be carried out at elevated pressure although this is not essential.

[0066] Fluorination of the triazine compound may be carried out using a stirred-tank batch reactor. Where the fluorine source is gaseous, the fluorine source is suitably admitted either as neat gas at sub-atmospheric pressure or as a continuous flow of fluorine blended with nitrogen or other inert diluent at about atmospheric pressure. Advantageously, the process for producing compound of Formula I may be operated as a continuous process.

[0067] The invention also provides a method of producing a fluorinated substrate which comprises contacting a substrate with a compound of Formula I so as to fluorinate the substrate.

[0068] The compounds of Formula I may be used as electrophilic fluorinating agents in a similar manner to Selectfluor™ and in manner know in the art (see, for example, R. E. Banks et al J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. I, 1996, 2069). The fluorinating agent may be contacted with the substrate neat and optionally at elevated temperature. If desired the fluorination process may be carried out in a solvent, for example acetonitrile or, especially, nitromethane. As mentioned above, it is believed that there has not been any previous proposal to use nitromethane as a solvent, or for any other purpose, with any N—F or ⁺N—F reagent.

[0069] When a compound of Formula I has been used in a fluorination reaction and so depleted in fluorine, it may be recovered and regenerated by introducing the fluorine source for reuse in further fluorination reactions.

[0070] The compounds of Formula I may be used to fluorinate organic compounds, for example nucleosides, nucleoside bases and steroids, or cationic organometallic compounds for example cyclopentadienides. They are especially useful in fluorinating carbanionic and/or aromatic substrates.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment of the fluorination aspect invention, a fluorinated steroid is prepared by contacting a steroid or a suitable derivative such as a steroidal enol acetate or silyl enol ether with a fluorinating agent of Formula I optionally in the presence of a solvent and optionally at elevated temperature. Preferably, the steroid is fluorinated at the 6 and/or 16 position.

[0072] Compounds of Formula I may be isolated or used without separation from the reaction mixture. If desired, the reaction mixture may be fed to a separate fluorination reactor or the compound of Formula I may be purified or otherwise treated prior to use.

[0073] Accordingly, the invention also provides a method of producing a fluorinated substrate which comprises contacting, preferably under acidic conditions, a triazine compound with a fluorine source in a solvent, which is inert under the process conditions, such that at least one of the nitrogen atoms in the triazine compound is fluorinated to produce a compound of Formula I and contacting, in situ or subsequently, the compound with a substrate to be fluorinated.

[0074] The invention is illustrated by the following non-limiting Examples.

EXAMPLE 1

[0075] (i) Preparation of 2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine

[0076] Cyanuric chloride (5.0 g, 27 mmol) was added dropwise to a cold (−5° C.) stirred solution of sodium methoxide (5.0 g, 93 mmol) in dry methanol (50 cm³); the mixture was then allowed to warm to room temperature and then refluxed for 3.0 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered to isolate inorganic salts and the filtrate freed from solvent (Rotavapor™) yielding an off-white solid which was dissolved in diethyl ether (50 cm³). The ethereal solution was washed with water (3×30 cm³), charcoaled, dried over MgSO₄ and finally evaporated (Rotavapor™) to give pure 2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine (4.3 g, 25 mmol, 93%) as a crystalline white solid.

[0077] Product Analysis (2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine):

[0078] M.P. 136° C. Found: C, 42.2; H, 5.1; N, 24.4%. Calculated for C₆H₉N₃O₃: C, 42.1; H, 5.3; N, 24.6%], δ¹H (CDCl₃) 4.1 (s, 3×OCH₃) ppm, δ¹³C (CDCl₃) 175.5 (C═N), 58.4 (s, 3 ×OCH₃)ppm.

[0079] (ii) Production of 1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazinium Triflate

[0080] A homogeneous mixture of 2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine (0.1 g; 0.585 mmol), triflic acid (0.1 g; 0.66 mmol) and acetonitrile (80 cm³) was placed in a flow fluorination reactor, cooled to −35° C., stirred vigorously and treated with a 1:9 (volume/volume) blend of fluorine and nitrogen gas at a flow-rate of 130 cm³/minute until the exit gas gave a strong positive test for fluorine (using potassium iodide).

[0081] The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure to 10 cm³ and dry dichloromethane (30 cm³) was added. A white solid material was obtained by suction filtration, and was washed with dry diethyl ether (30 cm³) and dried in vacuo and characterized by elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy as 1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazinium triflate. The product (1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazinium triflate) was obtained in a yield (0.18 g; 0.53 mmol) of 91% based on the triazine starting material.

[0082] Product Analysis (1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazinium Triflate):

[0083] M.P. 186° C.; Found: C, 23.4; H, 2.5; N, 11.8%. Calculated for C₇H₉F₄N₃O₆S. H₂O; C, 23.5; H, 3.1; N, 11.8%; δ_(H) (CD₃CN, TMS (trimethylsilane)) 4.59 (s, 2×OCH₃), 4.42 (s, OCH₃) ppm.; δ_(C) (CD₃CN) 167.6 (s, C═N), 156.1 (q, CF₃SO₃ ⁻, J_(CF)276 Hz), 61.2 (s, 2×OCH₃), 59.6 (s, OCH₃) ppm; δ_(F) (CD₃CN, TFA (trifluoroacetic acid)) 18.65 (br s, N⁺F), 1.72 (s, CF₃SO₃ ⁻) ppm.

EXAMPLE 2

[0084] Production of 1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazinium Triflate

[0085] The procedure of Example 1 was repeated except that hexafluoroisopropanol was used as the solvent and the reaction was carried out at −5° C. The product (1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazinium triflate) was characterized using elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy and obtained in a yield of 98%.

EXAMPLE 3

[0086] Production of 1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazinium Hexafluoroantimonate

[0087] The procedure of Example 2 was repeated except that the reactants employed were 2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine (0.5 g; 2.92 mmol) and hexafluoroantimonic acid (0.69 g; 2.92 mmol) and diethyl ether (50 cm³) instead of dichloromethane was used in the “work-up”. The product (1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazinium hexafluoroantimonate) was characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis and obtained in a yield (1.22 g; 2.86 mmol) of 98%.

[0088] Product Analysis (1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazinium Hexafluoroantimonate):

[0089] M.P. 211° C. (dec). Found: C, 17.1; H, 1.9; N, 9.5; Sb, 28.9%. Calculated for C₆H₉F₇N₃O₃Sb: C, 17.0; H, 2.1: N, 9.9; Sb, 28.6%; δ_(H) (CD₃CH, TMS) 4.59 (s, 2×OCH₃), 4.44 (s, OCH₃) ppm; δ_(C) (CD₃CN) 167.7 (s, C═N), 61.1 (s, 2×OCH₃), 59.4 (s, OCH₃) ppm; δ_(F) (CD₃CN, TFA) 18.88 (br s, N⁺F), −20.75 to −79.96 (complex, SbF₆ ⁻) ppm. The structure was confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis (bond length: F—N, 1.354 Å).

EXAMPLE 4

[0090] (i) Preparation of 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazine

[0091] A stainless steel pressure vessel (100 cm³) was charged with dry acetonitrile (10.0 g, 244 mmol) and yttrium triflate (1.07 g, 2 mmol). The vessel was cooled (−196° C.), evacuated and charged with anhydrous ammonia (4.2 cm³, 247 mmol), sealed and then heated for 24 hours at 200° C. The autoclave was cooled to room temperature before the volatile material (unchanged ammonia) was allowed to bleed off. Diethyl ether (300 cm³) was added to the reaction mixture and the insoluble material removed by filtration, dissolved in ethyl acetate (30 cm³), washed with water (3×20 cm³), dried with MgSO₄ then evaporated (Rotavapor™) to give 4-amino-2,6-dimethylpyrimidine (22.0 g, 179 mmol, 73%) as a crystalline white solid.

[0092] Product Analysis (4-amino-2,6-dimethylpyrimidine):

[0093] M.P. 184° C. Found: C, 58.2; H, 7.5; N, 34.3%. Calculated for C₆H₉N₃: C, 58.5; H, 7.4; N, 34.2%; δ_(H) (CD₃CH, TMS) 6.0 (s, HC═C), 5.2 (br.s, NH₂), 2.2 (s, CH₃) and 2.1 (br.s, CH₃) ppm.

[0094] Rotary evaporation of the ethereal solution provided 5.0 g (41 mmol, 17%) of an off-white solid; this was purified by vacuum sublimation to give pure 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazine as a crystalline white solid.

[0095] Product Analysis (2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazine):

[0096] M.P. 56° C. Found: C, 58.3; H, 7.6; N, 33.8%. Calculated for C₆H₉N₃: C, 58.5; H, 7.3; N, 34.2%; δ_(H) (CD₃CN₃, TMS) 2.52 (s, 3×CH₃) ppm; δ_(c) (CDCl₃) 176.3 (s, C═N), 25.8 (s, CH₃) ppm.

[0097] (ii) Production of 1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazinium Triflate

[0098] The procedure of Example 1 was repeated except that that the reactants employed were 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazine (0.1 g) and triflic acid (0.12 g). The product (1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazinium triflate) was characterized using elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy as hexahydrated 1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazinium triflate and obtained in a yield of 68%.

[0099] Product Analysis (1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazinium Triflate):

[0100] M.P. 205° C. (dec); Found: C, 21.8; H, 3.0; N, 9.7%. Calculated for C₇H₉F₄N₃O₃S.6H₂O: C, 21.1; H, 5.3; N, 10.5%; δ_(H) (CD₃CN, TMS) 2.4 (d., 2×CH₃), 2.1 (s, CH₃) ppm.; δ_(C) (CD₃CN) 178.4 (s, C═N), 168.6 (q, CF₃ J_(CF)287.3 Hz), 26.6 (s, 2×CH₃), 23.5 (s, CH₃) ppm; δ_(F) (CD₃CN₃, TFA) 1.43 (s, CF₃) 19.2 (br s, N⁺F) ppm.

EXAMPLES 5 TO 14

[0101] Production of a Variety of 1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazinium Salts

[0102] A variety of salts were produced using different acids and with different ratios of acid to substrate as set out in Table 1. The procedure of Example 1 was followed in producing these salts. TABLE 1 Acid:substrate ⁺N-F Example Acid (moles) % yield 5 Triflic 1.1:1 89^(b) 6 Triflic 1.5:1 76^(b) 7 Triflic  2:1  5 8 Sulfuric (98%) 1.2:1 91^(b) 9 Sulfuric (98%)  2:1 82^(b) 10 Tetrafluoroboric (48%) 1.1:1 77^(a) 11 Tetrafluoroboric (48%)  2:1 23^(a) 10 Trifluoroacetic 1.8:1 92^(a) 11 Acetic 2.1:1 85^(a) 12 Anhydrous hydrogen fluoride  1:1 94^(a)

[0103] As shown by Table 1, the yield of 1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazinium salts was sensitive to the amount of Brønsted acid used in the synthesis. When a 1.5 or less molar equivalent of triflic acid was used, the simple triflate salt of the triazine was obtained in high yields. However, the use of more than 1.5 molar equivalents of triflic acid caused the yield of the ⁺N—F salt to depreciate greatly and mainly the ⁺N—H salt was produced. Similar results were obtained with other acids.

EXAMPLE 15

[0104] Fluorination of Phenyl Lithium Using 1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazinium Triflate

[0105] 1 Mole of phenyl-lithium (in dry diethyl ether) was added dropwise to a stirred suspension of 1 mole of 1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazinium triflate in dry diethyl ether at a temperature of about −70° C. The mixture was stirred for 2 hours and then allowed to warm slowly to room temperature overnight with continuous stirring. The reaction mixture was filtered and distilled. The residue was analyzed by 19F NMR spectroscopy (in CDCl₃; TFA ref.) and showed the characteristic absorption for fluorobenzene at δ_(F) −36.2 ppm.

EXAMPLE 16

[0106] (i) Preparation of 1-fluoro-2,4,6-tris(trifluoromethyl)-1,3,5-triazinium Triflate

[0107] 2,4,6-Tris(trifluoromethyl)-1,3,5-triazine (0.2 g, 0.7 mmol), triflic acid (0.11 g, 0.73 mmol) and hexafluoroisopropanol (80 cm³) were placed in a flow fluorination reactor, cooled (−5° C.), stirred vigorously and treated with a 1:9 (vol./vol.) fluorine-nitrogen blend (flow rate of 130 cm³ per minute) until the exit gas gave a strong positive test (KI) for fluorine. A small sample (10 cm³) of the resultant colorless reaction solution was tested for oxidation properties with aqueous KI and gave a strong positive test. The remaining reaction solution was evaporated under reduced pressure, yielding a colorless oily material, which fumed when exposed to air. The ¹⁹F NMR spectrum of this material (in CD₃CN) contained the expected OTf⁻ and CF₃ at δ_(F)+0.5 −6.0 (s; TFA ref.) ppm as well as a weak absorption at +28.3 (br. s) assignable to the ⁺NF function of 1-fluoro-2,4,6-tris(trifluoromethyl)-1,3,5-triazinium triflate. The reaction was repeated a number of times, but no pure ⁺NF salt was isolated, believed to be due to the hygroscopic nature of ⁺NF salt and its reactivity towards water.

[0108] (ii) Fluorination of Benzene with 1-fluoro-2,4,6-tris(trifluoromethyl)-1,3,5-triazinium Triflate

[0109] A sample (30 cm³) of the cold (−5° C.) reaction solution from (1) above was treated with dry benzene (2.0 cm³) and the homogeneous mixture left to warm to room temperature overnight before being analyzed by ¹⁹F NMR, using D₂O as an external lock. The spectrum showed the characteristic absorption for fluorobenzene at δ_(F) −36.4 (m; TFA ref.) ppm.

[0110] It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the details described above with reference to the preferred embodiments but that numerous modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. 

We claim:
 1. An electrophilic fluorinating agent having the following Formula I:

wherein: three A moieties are independently CR, where each R is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, (primary, secondary or tertiary) amino, cyano, perfluorothio, hydroxysulfonyl, halosulfonyl, hydrocarbyloxysulfonyl, or a carbon-containing substituent selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy, hydrocarbyloxycarbonyl, and hydrocarbylthio groups, and at least one R is neither hydrogen nor halogen; two A moieties are independently Z, where each Z is independently nitrogen or a quaternary nitrogen atom; and Y⁻ is a counterion or group of counterions which are inert to chemical attack by fluorine, or an oligomer or polymer thereof in which adjacent triazinium moieties are linked by a common R substituent.
 2. The compound according to claim 1, which is a 1,2,4-triazinium compound of the following Formula IA:

wherein: R¹, R² and R³ are, independently, selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, (primary, secondary or tertiary) amino, cyano, perfluorothio, hydroxysulfonyl, halosulfonyl, hydrocarbyloxysulfonyl, or a carbon-containing substituent selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy, hydrocarbyloxycarbonyl, and hydrocarbylthio groups, and at least one of R¹, R² and R³ is neither hydrogen nor halogen, Z¹ and Z² are independently nitrogen or a quaternary nitrogen atom and Y⁻ is a counterion or group of counterions which are inert to chemical attack by fluorine, or an oligomer or polymer thereof in which adjacent triazinium moieties are linked by a common R substituent.
 3. The compound according to claim 1, which is a 1,3,5-triazinium compound of the following Formula IB:

wherein: R¹, R² and R³ are, independently, selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, (primary, secondary or tertiary) amino, cyano, perfluorothio, hydroxysulfonyl, halosulfonyl, hydrocarbyloxysulfonyl, or a carbon-containing substituent selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy, hydrocarbyloxycarbonyl, and hydrocarbylthio groups, and at least one of R¹, R² and R³ is neither hydrogen nor halogen, Z¹ and Z² are independently nitrogen or a quaternary nitrogen atom and Y⁻ is a counterion or group of counterions which are inert to chemical attack by fluorine, or an oligomer or polymer thereof in which adjacent triazinium moieties are linked by a common R substituent.
 4. The compound according to claim 1, wherein at least one R, or at least one of R¹, R² and R³, is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy, hydrohalocarbyl, hydrohalocarbyloxy, perhalocarbyl, and perhalocarbyloxy.
 5. The compound according to claim 4, wherein at least one R, or at least one of R¹, R² and R³, is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy, C₂₋₁₂ alkenyl, and C₆₋₁₂ aryl groups optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms.
 6. The compound according to claim 5, wherein the R substituents, or R¹, R² and R³, are selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl, C₁₋₈ alkoxy, C₁₋₈ perfluoroalkyl and C₁₋₈ perfluoroalkoxy.
 7. The compound according to claim 6, wherein the R substituents, or R¹, R² and R³, are selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, perfluorooctyl, methyl, ethyl, methoxy and ethoxy groups.
 8. The compound according to claim 6, wherein at least one R, or R¹, R² and/or R³, is selected from the group consisting of H(CF₂CF₂)_(p)CH₂O groups (where p is at least 2).
 9. The compound according to claim 1, wherein the R substituents, or R¹, R² and R³, are identical.
 10. The compound according to claim 9, wherein each R, or each of R¹, R² and R³, is selected from the group consisting of methyl, methoxy, trifluoromethyl and trifluoromethoxy groups
 11. The compound according to claim 1, wherein each Z, or Z¹ and Z², are independently nitrogen or a fluorinated quaternary nitrogen atom.
 12. The compound according to claim 11, wherein both Z, or both of Z¹ and Z², is nitrogen.
 13. The compound according to claim 12, which is a 1,3,5-triazinium compound of the following Formula II:

wherein R¹, R², R³ and Y⁻ are as defined in claim 1, or an oligomer or polymer thereof in which adjacent triazinium moieties are linked by a common R substituent.
 14. The compound according to claim 1, wherein Y⁻ is selected from the group consisting of fluoride, fluorosulfate, alkanesulfonate, alkyl sulfate, perfluoroalkanesulfonate, arenesulfonate, alkanecarboxylate, perfluoroalkanecarboxylate, tetrafluoroborate, tetraphenylborate, hexafluorophosphate, hexafluoroantimonate, hexafluoroarsenate, chlorate, sulfate (═2Y⁻), hydrogen sulfate and F(HF)_(x) ⁻ where x is at least
 1. 15. The compound according to claim 14, wherein Y⁻ is selected from the group consisting of fluoride, tetrafluoroborate, triflate, tosylate, hexafluoroarsenate and hexafluorophosphate.
 16. The compound according to claim 15, wherein Y⁻ is triflate.
 17. A 1,3,5-triazinium compound of the following Formula II:

R¹, R² and R³ are, independently, selected from the group consisting C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy, C₂₋₁₂ alkenyl, and C₆₋₁₂ aryl groups optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, and Y⁻ is selected from the group consisting of fluoride, fluorosulfate, alkanesulfonate, alkyl sulfate, perfluoroalkanesulfonate, arenesulfonate, alkanecarboxylate, perfluoroalkanecarboxylate, tetrafluoroborate, tetraphenylborate, hexafluorophosphate, hexafluoroantimonate, hexafluoroarsenate, chlorate, sulfate (═2Y⁻), hydrogen sulfate and F(HF)_(x) ⁻ where x is at least 1 or an oligomer or polymer thereof in which adjacent triazinium moieties are linked by a common R substituent.
 18. The compound according to claim 1, wherein the R substituents, or R¹, R² and R³, are identical and are selected from the group consisting of methyl, methoxy, trifluoromethyl and trifluoromethoxy groups and Y⁻ is selected from the group consisting of fluoride, tetrafluoroborate, triflate, tosylate, hexafluoroarsenate and hexafluorophosphate.
 19. A process for the production of a compound of Formula I as defined in claim 1 which comprises the step of contacting a triazine compound with a fluorine source under acidic conditions in an inert solvent comprising nitromethane to fluorinate at least one of the nitrogen atoms in the triazine compound.
 20. A method of producing a fluorinated substrate which comprises the step of contacting a substrate with a compound of Formula I as defined in claim 1 so as to fluorinate the substrate.
 21. The method of producing a fluorinated steroid or fluorinated steroid derivative which comprises contacting a steroid or steroid derivative with a compound of Formula I as defined in claim
 1. 22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the fluorination is conducted in a solvent comprising nitromethane.
 23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the fluorination is conducted in a solvent comprising nitromethane. 